Corrected Version Francis A. Ogden 1902 Autobiography
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In reply to:
Francis A. Ogden, b. 23 Apr 1835; d. 6 Jun 1914
7/07/10
Following is a corrected version of the Francis A. Ogden 1902 autobiographical newspaper article I posted earlier.
From: Access.NewspaperArchive.com database
[Note: Some of the text from the image made from the microfilmed newspaper was unreadable.]
Francis A. Ogden Autobiography
From: Wisconsin State Journal [newspaper], Madison, Wisconsin, vol. 98, no. 138, March 8, 1902, page 1.
CAREER OF F. A. OGDEN AS TOLD BY HIMSELF
Madison Millionaire, Who Offers Free Library Site, Gives Reminiscences of His Coming to Madison
My people started in 1836 from the state of New York for Chicago, at the solicitation of my uncle, William B. Ogden, who went there in 1835.They went on the Canal to Buffalo and being warned not to go on the Lakes on account of recent storms they bought teams and started overland as there were no railroads.
They were delayed in Michigan by a heavy snow storm, saw some beautiful lands, bought them, and remained there until 1847, whey they removed to Madison.They came with their own conveyances through Chicago.That part of Chicago west of the river was a wet marsh and valued at $15 per acre.
CHOOSE PORTAGE FIRST
I had just $15 then but did not conclude to purchase.My parents [unreadable] to locate in Portage City on account of its supposed commercial advantages, as the map showed that it was located between two [unreadable, word may be "rivers"] with just room enough to build a city but when they saw the beauty of Madison with its lakes and high rolling grounds, and Portage with its swampy low lands, they decided at once to locate in Madison, rented a house and located about where Mrs. Atwood now resides on Mendota Avenue.Later they bought a home fronting on the south side of the Capitol park.the old capitol building and grounds were the rendezvous for boys mill about buying time when Jimmie Halpin would chase them all until the grass was cut (they saved the hay in those days to feed stock.)
HIS FIRST REAL ESTATE DEAL
My first investment in real estate was in Madison.I had $70 and I borrowed $30 more of my mother to make a payment on four lots which I bought of the state university on time.Before the next payment became due, I sold one lot for more than the four cost.This was my first [unreadable] to business and I have been reasonably successful ever since.
My boyhood days were spent in Madison.I had a gun and used to hunt rabbits and pheasants about where the governor's residence is now located.
I was one of the first students to enter the university.I was a charter member of the Athenaen society and have always felt deep interest in the growth of that institution.
I have seen the village of Madison grow to be a [unreadable] city with its railroads running out in nine directions.I have succeeded reasonably well financially, and therefore thought best to contribute to the building up of a public library in this beautiful city.
[Jean E. DeLauche, Transcriber, 8 Jul 2010, with thanks to "LearnGenealogy" from Rootsweb Dane Co. Wisconsin message board, Corrected 9 Jul 2011]
[Note: The University of Wisconsin Athenaen Society was founded in 8 Nov 1850 by students at the university: Levi Booth, W. S. Botkin, William Holt, F. A. Ogden, R. L. Ream, J. W. Sterling, William Stuart, George W. Stoner, D. K. Tenney, Charles T. Wakeley, O. M. Conover, and Ed McPherson for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a university library, instituting campus literary and scientific lectures and debates, according to Butterfield, Consul Wilshire (1879) History of the University of Wisconsin from organization to 1879, University Press Co., Madison, Wis., pages 70-71.Information from the full text publication at Google Books, http://www.google.com]http://www.google.com]